Nope ... I haven't lost it ... I am lucid and rational ... just  sorta weird at times. Make allowances ok ? It's this blasted computer ...  it has finally affected my sense of humour. It's all those hours spent staring at images I have been creating and fine tuning.  Have you ever spent hours working on something to have it disappear into thin air ? It ain't funny I can tell you.  At times I think gremlins have invaded this machine of mine. Perhaps someday I will learn to hit save every few minutes but then I have always liked risk taking and what the heck .. it's good practice ... ( I keep telling myself that when PSP.. also known as the Peevish Sadistic Prankster decides to crash and take hours of my work with it.)

 Of course, things have vastly  improved since I first began designing and composing web pages. When I think back it is hard to believe I was ever as bad as I was in the beginning ! AND ... that I  had enough nerve to actually think I could present my efforts to all and sundry. They were  really  amateurish and  simple efforts  and how I found the nerve to actually upload them amazes me today.

If it hadn't been for a friend of mine almost  forcibly pushing me into that first upload I might  well still be sitting here contemplating instead of creating. ( On second thought .. I'm not certain if I should thank him or curse him !) The many hours I have spent learning and on all the experimenting could have been spent doing something probably far more constructive. Like baking for guests for example!

His heart was in the right place but he was also mean in the extreme. He had been  nagging me to make use of the space my server provided and even offered assistance and  instruction  to aid in the enterprise but I procrastinated for ages until finally his patience had been tried to the point that he decided to take drastic measures.  If I wouldn't do it, he would force me to make the effort. Which he then proceeded to do with Machiavellian glee. Something he does with a style and panache which has no peer btw.

 How did he accomplish this feat ? Simple. He uploaded the most hideously ridiculous page I have ever laid eyes on ... under my name ... on my web space ... and then he proceeded to call me long distance and tell me to go see my site. He also informed me that the only way I would be able to remove the monstrosity was to provide a substitute page which he would then, and only then, show me how to upload thereby erasing the  masterpiece which the world was now assuming to be my work. Due to my lack of any kind of knowledge or understanding about what was involved with uploading, erasing etc I had no alternative but to do exactly that and as quickly as I possibly could. I think he is probably still laughing.

 I do know he has on more than one occasion over the past few years loudly proclaimed,  "I told you so !!!" Seriously, I should thank him. I do enjoy creating and writing  a great deal and my site has provided many, many hours of enjoyment  since those early days.

 The writing was never a problem. That was always something I had enjoyed and it came relatively easily. The imagery was a long learning process and even today I continue to learn something new with almost every project. My scanner is a godsend and my  best tool. When my old one expired just before Christmas I felt like I had lost a dear friend. My husband quickly solved that problem by buying me a new scanner which was far superior to the antique it replaced.  PSP.. (the aforementioned demon)  has become an almost irreplaceable adjunct to my computer. I have now progressed to the point that I really am beginning to think I may belong on here after all !

Would you have time for a second cup ? The pot's still almost full. It would be a shame to waste it. Besides, I'm really enjoying our chat. I always have liked the sound of my own voice. The advantage of this venue is that I get to do all the talking ! Mind you, at times it would be nice to have feedback but  I guess if you are still listening you must be enjoying yourself. I certainly do hope so !

I have often wished I could offer  the same in return . Something beyond simply writing down whatever comes into my head and creating pages with images and formats  from which, in the final analysis, only I benefit. Perhaps there is a small way I can repay some of that generosity after all. As you traverse my site, if you come across something which you find pleasing or which would be of use to you  ... please contact me and I will happily share with you. No strings attached.

 My pages are me. Nothing held back, no games, no artifice, just me. Warts and all. I truly do hope my efforts have given you a few minutes of enjoyment and made you happy you found my place. It would be wonderful to know that my visitors have taken away with them a sense of well being and perhaps even some tiny idea or suggestion which has given them pause for thought. That's really my aim after all. We are such  fortunate people even with all the problems and worries which life throws our way. Sometimes I think we forget that as we go about our daily routines. I know I need to be reminded of that from time to time and assume most people are the same as I am in that regard.

 I do thank you for allowing me to ramble on this way. I have really enjoyed our chat.  I hope you have enjoyed the coffee and the conversation hasn't proven to be too boring. Do drop back again sometime. The coffee pot is always ready and the welcome mat is always out. If we are lucky I may even have had time to do some baking !